incompetent

in·com·pe·tent

adjective

The definition of incompetent is someone or something not qualified, inadequate or insufficient for a given purpose.

An example of incompetent is a person getting behind the wheel of a manual transmission car, who doesn't know how to drive with a stick shift.

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"incompetent." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent>.

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incompetent. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent

incompetent

without adequate ability, knowledge, fitness, etc.; failing to meet requirements; incapable; unskillful
not legally qualified
lacking strength and sufficient flexibility to transmit pressure, thus breaking or flowing under stress: said of rock structures

Origin of incompetent

French incompétent from Late Latin incompetens: see in- and competent

an incompetent person; esp., one who is mentally deficient

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MLA Style

"incompetent." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent>.

APA Style

incompetent. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent

incompetent

adjective

a. Lacking qualities necessary for effective conduct or action: an incompetent manager.
b. Inadequate for or unsuited to a particular purpose or application: “Because so many diseases fluctuate randomly over time, patients sometimes spontaneously improve despite incompetent treatment” ( Richard A. Friedman )
c. Not functioning properly in the body: an incompetent heart valve.
Law
a. Not legally qualified, as testimony that does not meet the standards for admissibility or a juror whose personal interest in the outcome of the case does not allow him or her to serve.
b. Lacking sufficient mental ability or awareness: a defendant incompetent to stand trial.

noun

An incompetent person.

Related Forms:

in·com′pe·tent·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"incompetent." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent>.

APA Style

incompetent. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent

Adjective

Unskilled, lacking normally expected degree of ability.
Having an incompetent lawyer may be grounds for a retrial, but the lawyer in question probably doesn't know that.
Unable to make rational decisions, insane or otherwise cognitively impaired.
The charged was judged incompetent to stand trial, at least until his medication started working.

Usage notes

The form incompetent of, as in "I am incompetent of doing anything!" is heard (US). It is incorrect, the intended word is incapable.

Noun

(plural incompetents)

A person who is incompetent.

Origin

From French incompétent

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"incompetent." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 17 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent>.

APA Style

incompetent. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Incompetent

incompetent - Legal Definition

adj

Of evidence, that it is not admissible.
Of a witness, that he or she is not permitted to testify, on the grounds that his or her testimony is not relevant or is subject to some other disqualification.